Cricket veteran’s favourite format, Test cricket, has been with us since the inception of cricket. Over the years, Test cricket has seen a lot of quality players gracing the cricket field. They have made the viewers and analysts their fans with their batting. Test cricket is the real test for a better where one’s proper technique is exposed. But who has scored the most runs in a calendar year in tests?
Over the years, many batters have scored some bug runs year by year. They have made their name in test cricket with their calmness and technique. This article contains all the information on who has been the highest run-getter in tests in a calendar year. So let’s move on!
Read More: Most T20 Runs in a Calendar Year
Mohammad Yousaf (1788 Runs in 2006)
Mohammad Yousaf has been a fine timer of the ball. He has played a lot of memorable knocks for Pakistan and has been their main Batman in the 2000s. He holds the unique feat of scoring the highest test runs in a calendar year.
- In 2006, he scored 1788 runs in 19 innings and 11 matches and became the first Pakistani batter to score most test runs in a calendar year.
- He did this at an average of 99.33. His SR of 62.64 was also very impressive.
- During the year, he scored nine hundred and three fifties with the highest score of 202.
- He hit 222 fours and 12 sixes during that year, making him the highest run-getter in a calendar year in test cricket.
Viv Richards (1710 Runs in 1976)
One of the most significant test batters of all time, Viv has been an integral part of the West Indian team from 1976 to 1983. He was a technically gifted player who showed this through his batting. He holds the record for scoring the second highest number of runs in tests.
- In 1976, Viv Richards became the highest test scorer in a calendar year for West Indies
- He scored 1710 runs in 19 innings with an average of 99.0 and an SR of 72.85.
- He scored seven hundred and five fifties with a high score of 291.
- During the year, he also hit seven sixes and 179 fours, making him the second highest run-getter in tests in a calendar year.
Joe Root (1798 Runs in 2021)
Joe Root has scored some sublime runs for his country over the years. He has made his mark in tests and was formally captain of the English test side. Currently, he is the number one ranked test batsman. He became the overall third-highest scorer in test matches in a calendar year in 2021.
This year he set the record for most runs for England in a calendar year and highest run-scoring captain in a year in Test Cricket. Joe Root is the only active batter in the list of most test runs in a calendar year.
- In 2021, he scored 1708 runs at an average of 61 and an SR of almost 57.
- With a high score of 228, he scored six hundred and four fifties in that year.
- He hit 179 fours and three sixes during this time while facing almost 3000 plus balls.
Graeme Smith (1656 Runs in 2008)
A former South African captain and a fine opener in test cricket, he has been a solid part of the South African test side till his retirement. He was a fine left-handed batsman and holds the record for the fourth most number of runs in a calendar year in test matches.
- In 2008, he scored 1656 runs in 25 innings.
- He did this at an average of 72 with an SR of 66.
- With the highest score of 232, he scored six hundred ad six fifties that year.
- He also hit 215 fours while facing 2516 balls.
Micheal Clarke (1595 Runs in 2012)
Clarke was a reliable middle-order batsman and a handy spinner. He was made captain of the Australian side after Ponting’s retirement and guided them to the 2015 Cricket World Cup victory. He is regarded as one of the best of this generation and has the honour of scoring the highest number of runs in a calendar year for Australia.
- In 2012, he scored 1595 runs at an average of 109.
- He scored an SR of 66 and had a high score of 329 during that year.
- He also scored five hundred and three fitties during this tenure.
Sachin Tendulkar (1562 Runs in 2010)
He is the greatest batsman to grace the cricket field, the only player in the world to have scored 100 hundred for his country. Sachin was a fine player and held the record for most International runs. He has achieved the sixth-highest test runs in a calendar year and scored the most runs in a calendar year in the ODI’s Test for India in 2010.
- In 2010, he scored 1562 runs at an average of 78.
- In 23 innings, he scored seven hundred and five fifties.
- With a high score of 214 in that year, he scored with an SR of 55.
Sunil Gavaskar (1555 Runs in 1979)
Sunil Gavaskar is acknowledged for his high-scoring technique against fast bowlers and is regarded as one of the greatest opening batsmen in the world. His playing style and technical ability are highly applauded, and he was the top runs scorer for India in a calendar year in Test for 31 years until Sachin broke this in 2010.
- In 1979, he scored 1555 runs at an average of almost 60.
- He played 27 innings, scoring five hundred and seven fifties at an SR of 47.43.
- He faced more than 2400 during the year and scored the highest 221 runs.
Ricky Ponting (1544 Runs in 2005)
One of the greatest Australian batters of all time, Ponting has scored the third highest number f International hundreds with 71 hundred to his name. He captained the Australian side and was an able batsman in the middle order.
- In 2005, he scored the highest number of test runs in the calendar year, 1544 runs in 28 innings for his side.
- He did this at an average of 67 and an SR of 61.
- He scored six centuries and six half-centuries during the year, with the highest score of 207.
Ricky Ponting (1503 Runs in 2003)
No, it’s not a mistake, and he does make a list two times; such was the greatness of the man. He was The captain of the Australian side during its golden era and, in 2006, reached the highest rating achieved by a test batsman for 50 years.
- In 2003, he scored 1503 runs in only 18 innings.
- He did this at an average of 100 and an SR of 60.
- This, he is the only batter featuring twice in the list of highest run-getters in a calendar year.
Kunar Sangakkara (1493 Runs in 2014)
Sangakkara was one of the most classic left-handed batsmen the world has ever seen. His cover drives were a treat to watch. He had scored a large number of runs for his country and took the 10th position in the list of the highest number of runs in tests in a calendar year.
- In 2014, he scored 1493 runs in 22 innings.
- He did this at an average of 71 and an SR of 55.
- With the highest score of 319, he scored four hundred and nine fifties during that year.
Source: Cricinfo
